la force



(N0 Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. H. J. LA FORCE. PNBUMATIG TIER.

Patented Apr. 16, 1895.

mm STATES 1.;

HIPPOLY'IE J. LA FORCE, OF TORONTO, CANADA.

PNEUMATIG TIRE.

SIPECIFIGATION forming part cf Letters Patent N0. 537,536, datedApril 16, 1895 Appllcntion filed December 23, 1893. Serial N0. 494,609. (N0 model.) Patented in Ganada Iebruary 16, 1894,1I0. 43,547; in

l Belgium February 28,1894, N0.108589a11d1n France 1V[ay 10,1894, N0. 236,428.

T0 aZZ w7wm z't may concern:

Britain, residing in the city 0f Toronto, in the- Province 0f Ontario in the Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvernents in Wheel-Tires, (for which I have obtained patents in France, N0. 236,428, dated May 10, 1894; in Canada, N0. 43,547, dated February 16, 1894, and in Belgium,No. 108,589, dated Febrnary 28, 1894,) 02 which the following is a speeification, referenee being had t0 the aceornpanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

My invention relates to wheel tires and is specially designed and adapted for a pneumatic tire, that is to say a hollow tire whieh is filled ont; 01 distended by air, gas 0x other suitable substance.

The object of my invention is to provide a tire whieh rnay be simply and firmly secured to the ri1n of a wheel and which may be easily detached therefrom when desired.

In the drawings, Figure lis a perspeetive side elevationalview of a section of a wheel tire and rim embodying n:y invention. T0 more clearly show the eonstruotion, the outer rub-' her eover appearing in the righ't band quarter of this figure is shown as removed from one side of the seeond quarters. From the sarne side of the third quarter,the arrangement of bands is removed; and from the Same side 0f the left; hand quarter theinner lining is rernoved, leaving the inner inflatable eore exposed to view. Fig. 2 is a vertical seetion of the same tire and rin1 as is shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a side elevation 0f a tire with a band or thread Wound a few tirnes over it t0 show the 1nethod of arranging the band shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a eircular revolving form whieh rnay be used in winding the band orthread in the eonstrnction of the tire shown in Figs. l and 2 Fig. 5 shows an arrangement 0f the bands si1nilar to that shown in Fig. 4 but with the bands 01' threads plaited. Fig. 6 isa vertical seetion of the sanne tire as shown in Fig. 2 but with the edges of the lining of the tire sheath meeting and overlapping on the ri1n. Fig. 7

is a side elevation of a modified form 0f rny tire with the onter covering 0r thread 01"? Pub be1 rennoved.

A is the tire sheath.

B is the arrangement 0f bands 0x thneads.

O is the innen: lining 0f the tire sheath.

D is the outer cover of the tire sheath.

E is the inner inflatable core. F is the wheel-rixn 0r felly.

In Figs. l and 2 the tire sheath 01 cover is shown as composed of an arrangement B of. longitudinal bands or threads, an inner lining C of canvas to which the arranga ment B of bands 01 t'hreads is cernented, and an outer cover D of rubber cernented 01 vnlcanized to the inner lining O over the arrangement B 0f bands 01 threads.

The tire sheath A may be eomposed wholly 0f an arrangernent 0r fabric B of bands or bers b. In all cases however, I use a tread 01 shoe D of rnbber 01 other snitable material which may be cementedover the bands b. 1 prefer also 'o use an inner lining O 0f canvas or other suitable material as a backingfor the arrangement of Bands and t0 proteob the inner eore E from 'being injured by the bands, whieh in some cases, es-

pecially when a fine band thread is nsed, n1ightcnt or wear the innen core.

The tire sheath A is designed to have an inner eircnrnference which contracts 01' becomes smaller, the tire thereby tightening itself upon and securing itself firmly to the rim of the wheel.

By the terrn inner eireutnferenee of the ti1e sheath in this speeifieation, I mean tl1at part of the tire sheath which bears on the rinn, the part nearest to or facing toward the axis of the Wheel which is the center of such inner circumferenee. When I reifer 130 the innen cireumferenee as contracting I mean that i'a approaches the axis of the Wheel forming a smaller concentric eircle.

By the onter cireumference of the tire sheath I mean the circnmferenee ab 01 toward the t1ead 0f the tire sheath, which outer cirenrnference enlarges radially when the tire sheath is filled ont or distended as by the inner inflatable eore E.

The inner circu1nferenee of the tire sheath 1nay be made '00 contract and tignten npon the rim by means of bands or ligaments b which may be of thr'ead, cord, Wi1 or 'string of any non-elastic suitable xnaterial running along the tire longitudinally or circurnferentially in such a manner that when the tire fi11s out o1 distends as by inflation, the bands 0r ligarncnts contr'act or tighten the ifiner circumference of the tire sheath down upon the wheel rim.

The tire sheath may be circumfcrentially slit 01 open toward the axis of the whecl and, if so s1it or open as in Figs. 1 an d 2 the edges a a of the 'tire sneatn (whioh in such cas'e form its inner cifCufnf6rencla) may be made t0 contract arrd hav'e a si'nall'er ir1ner ciroumference by arranging oxwinding a band or ligament a1ong the tire sheath longitudinally 0r circumferentially, crossing the tir'e a1; regular infervals fronn edge to cdge in an oblique or slanting direction one 0r more tirnes while Winding it once along the circumference o'f the tire sheath. The windin'q of the band upon the tire sheath shou1d be done uniformly, cro'ssing over the tire sheaih from edgo to edge at equal distances, so that thc tire may tighten evenly upon the rim. A simple m'ehod of thus arranging the bands is 130 wind the band b upon a circular revolvingform as shoWn in Fig. 4 0f the proper size to suit the sizc cf the tirc desired. If an i'nner 1ining is to be used it may be fitted upon the form and the band wound upon it. If no inner 1ining is used the band may be wound upon the bare forrn and the outer covering D cement'ed or vulcanized over the arr'ang'ement B of such band or bands when the Winding i's cor'nplete. The form may have,a's sh0wn in Fig. 4near each edge cf its periphery a groove j along Which the band may rnn whe'n it is ab Lhe outercdgeof the form. The periphery of the form may be raised toward the middle line 7ck as shown in Fig. 4 so that the tire may more readily assunne a tubular forma when placed upon the rixn of a wheel. Thc band may then be wou'nd around so as to cross th'e middle 1ine k7c of the form, one 01 more times in each fevolution. For example, if I desire t0 have the band cross the fonn twice in each rcvolution I may start the band ab any given point in the rniddle 1ine k-k of the form and slant the band across the fo'rm into one groove, then along such groove, then crossing the forn1 once to the opposite groove through a point in the middle line7c7o mid-- way between the point of commencement and the poinl: where it next rcaches tbe middle 1ine of the form, and after running it alon-g the last mentioned gr0oveslant i't back to the middle line of the form D01) at the point of commencement, as in such case the succcssive lines 01 cir les 0f the band would be wound one on the oth'er, but a1; just such a distance froin the point 0f cornmenement as it is dev sired that the Successiv'e circles cf ehe band should be distant fron1 each other mcasured along the said middle line Zclc of the for1n.

Th e band is then wound around the forn1 uniformly, the succc'ssivb ciiclb3 of the band being at equal distances apart and the band crossing the middle 1ine 7ok 0f the form at equal distances unti1 oho whole surface of the tire is evenly covered' as shown, for example, in Fig. 4 below the ii'ne p19 with a succession of bands crossing each other. When tho Win'ding is complete the ends cf the band must b'e tied or otherwise secured. The band b thus wound forms an arrangement o1 fabri c B of bers or bands and if used with a body or lixiing of canvas 01' 0ther Suitab16 lna'teriai'onif pl-aited 01 otherWis'e made selfco'nsisteht, such fablic may constitute the entire tire sheath. The distanee apart of the successive circles of the band may be Varied according 130 the strengthof the material u'sed to forxh the band and acc'ording to the strmgth of tire require'ad. F01 the tir'e of a bic'y0le whe(el I ordinari-ly 'use a coarse thread such as ca1pet sewing thread N0. 18 for such band and wind it with its succe'ssive circ1es about three-siXteenth5 of an inch apart, whieh makes a S t'ron=g 1ighb tire. If additfonal s'trfigth of tir'e is 1eqired the Winding may be continued until the sm'1r'face is again 'evenly cov9red.

'lhe band may be made t0 Gross the tire '01 fornn onc or more times in each revolution, and regularity is obtained in all cases by erossing the middle line 7ck an succe'ssive points equally distant frorn each othr. The band may be cemcnted or -attached by other suitable means to the iuner lining C and the outer cover 01 tread ot rubber D cemented or v11lcanized Over the bmds Which am thus bedded betwe'en the rubbe'r tread D and the1ining O. AI: each cdge'each series or collection B of bands or thrcads may be inclosed in a l0op or recess 1unning around each edge of the tire sheath. These recess'es may be easil y fon'ned by folding in the edges c c of the lining C 0Ver the series of bands or threads B B -collected in the grooves of the form, as shown in Fig. 1.

T0 make a tire sheath 130 fit a wheel rirn of a given size,the circuniference cf the periph ery 0f the forrn shown in Fig. 4 a1; the bottorn of the groo'ves j j sbould be the Same Las, or very slightly greater thau, the chcumfer enceof the bearings'urfmce of th"eri1n on which the edges of the tire sheath am to -tighten. As the p'eri:phery of the forn1 is raised in the middle, When removed fro1n the form, the bands at the edges, B B, will slacken so that the tire shcath may be 'readily pla'ced on the whcel rim.

The riun of the forrn should be made adjustab1e in order t-hat the mrrangement of bands may be removed thercfrom. This may readily be accomplished by making the rixn cf the form in sections, onc cf Which can be removed when desircd.

Instead cf folding in the edges of the lining C. such'edges c c may be extended 130 xneet or, as shown in Fig. 6, overhap one another on the 1im, thus protecting the 'inner mented or otherwise attached forming the tire sheath into a complete tube.

The contracting of the inner eirenmference ot' the tire sheath A may be easily under stood by a referenee to Fig. 3 in which the band is shown as circling along and around the circurnferenee of the tire a few times with its sueeessive eircles far apart to more read- 'ily show the way in whieh the band is wonnd 01 arranged. The band in Fig. 3 is arranged in exactly the Same manner as if: wound upon a form as above deseribed, (See Fig. 4) being wound along the cireurnference from edge to edge running frorn a point in the middle f the tire sheath, being a point in the radially enlarging circumferenue of the tire ab the point b' in the band, slanting a1ong the eireumferenee 0f the inner lining, erossingthe middle line of the tread consecutively at the points 6 19 b b b b b b", the distanees between such conseeutive points 0f erossing being equal as above speeified.

When the tire sheath is filled out or diS tended as by inflat ion the outer cireumference of the tire sheath enlarges or deseribes a larger coneentric eircle and the distances between the eonsecutive points b 19 b b b b b b b beeoxne greater, tightenin'g the e0nneeting band, the tension between eaeh two conseeutive points thus drawing, when eaeh edge c of the lining O is folded in over the cireles of the band as above specified, a portion of theinner circumference or edge 0f the tire sheath in Ward toward the axis of the wheel. For example, the points b b bb b 12 b b, which are conseeutive points in the band b at the inner eircuxnference of the tire midway between the eonseeutive points b" b b 5 b b 5 b b" (b being midway between b and b and so on) tend in a very marked manner t0 approachthe eenter as the consecutive points b b b 19 b b 5 b b become farther apart, as shown by arrows pointing in the direction of the foree.

It will readily be Seen that if a band is wound 0r arranged along the eircumferenee of the tire with successive eireles at short distanees apart and eontii1ued until the whole surface of the tire is evenly covered, as above speeified, when the tire sheath is inflated the inner eircumference (i. e. in the circumferentially rifted tire sheath, as shown in Fig. 2, the edges a a Will contract evenly and form a srnaller eoncentric circle. It will also be seen that any two 0f such eonseeutive points in the outer eircurnferenee, as b and b must be so far apart that a straight line drawn, as on a side elevational view such as Fig. 3, fronn one to the other will intersect the eirele formed by a 1ine drawn ronnd the inner circnmference. I prefer to make the band c'ross the form or tire sheath not more than three tirnes. The band may be wound upon the form by band or with proper rnaehinery.

An automatic guide or feeder for the thread such as is used in winders, z. e., winding ma- Sueh overlapping edges may be ee-' chines for spoo1ing thread or for winding 00tton, yarn er thread 0n spools, bobbins, &c.

.rnay be eonnected with the revolving f0rm.

If a winder is nsed, the feeder for the thread should have; instead of a continnous lateral nnotion, an interrnittent lateral motion, that is, thefeeder 0r guide should pause for a longer or shorter period of tin1e (according t0 the number of times the thread is desired t0 eross the form in eaeh revolution) opposite eaeh groove of the form and at regularintervals should bave a lateral 1notion to lead the thread aer0ss the form. The winding maehine maker will readilyaeeornplish this by means 0f a suitably shaped eam. By feeding the form at a nnmber 0f different points shnultaneous- 1y a plaited fabric Will be made. T0 so plait the fabric I divide the forrn into an odd:num- Der 01: equal slpaces, say twenty-five. I'sta1t a thread siznultaneonsly at each 0f the said points 0r spaces in the middle line kk of the forn1 and wind (With a feeder for eaeh thread) in the sarne manner as has been above deseribed but erossing the form an odd number of times in eaeh revolntion, say three tirnes. The winding is then continued until the form between the grooves is evenly covered. In Fig. 5 a few bands are shown as so plaited,

the interstices being larger to more elearly.

show the arrangement of the'threads. The ends of each thread must be tied or otherwise secured. Such a plaited fabrie may constitute the entire tire sheath although I prefer, as above mentioned, in all cases t0 use an onter tread of rubber and. an inner lining 0f canvas. Such a fabric of bands may of course be plaited by hand in length and not endless; than made into an endless cireular tire sheath by tying the ends 0f eaeh thread together.

I do not strietly limit mys'elf t0 the forxn 0r materials any m0re than t0 the details of coustruetion mentioned in the foregoing deseription.

The points where the threads are the greatest distance from the center 0f the wheel or eircle formed by the tire when extended, as shown the points where the threads cross the outer circumferenee of the tire in Fig. 3, and the angu1ar points where the threads are seeured to the tire in Fig. 7, I shall term. the apices, and itwi1l be partieularly observed that the threads in passing fro1n one apex to the next are deflected outward following the cnrve of the inner cireurnferenee of the tire for a greater or1ess distance. apices are moved ontward by theinflatinn 013 the tire or otherwise the tendeney of the threads t0 straighten between the apices Will draw the inner eireumference of the tire inward throughout all of that portion where the thread is defleeted or curVed outwardly allong said inner cireumferenee.

It will readily be seen that the tightening of the bands or threads along the rirn is dependent 011 their being connected .Wit-h the radially enlarging outer cireuxnference Wl1ieh, as it enlarges radially, draws and tightens IIO Thus when the the bamds. lt is therefore not absolutely mecessary, but only convenient, that the bamds should be arranged as above described, cross- Ing the tire sheath from edge to edge. If the bands or threads are connected with the emlargimg outer circumference im any suitable manmer so as to be tightened thereby firmly around Lhe rirn it is sufiiciemr. Ome very simple way is to make the band into a mumber of endless loops or separate endless bamds of equal size amd to attach such endless bands to the tire sheath, preferably to the immer liming O, as shown im Fig. 7, each at a point in the outercircumferemce at 0r toward the tread. Such poimrs of attachxnent should be equally distamt from the rniddle line of the tread of the tire sheath amd therefore, when the tire shcath "is distended orinfiated on a wheel rim1, equally distant fro1n the axis of the wheel, such poimts Of attachment should also be equally disbant from each other along the circurnference of the tire sheath. For example, if three hundred amd sixty endless bamds (amd I preferably use a great number of such bamrls) are to be attached to each side of the tire sheath, the three hundred amd sixty poimts of attachment will be points in a circle dividing acircumferential lime drawm through such poimts imto three hmmdred amd sixty equal parts or sections. Each band xnaybe attached to the tire sheath at more points than ome. If attached an more points than oue the distances between the comsecutive points ab which each band is atlached should be equal amd the lcngth of the several portionsof the band betwe'en each owo comsecutive points at which each band is attaehed should be the sahne. If each band is attached to the tire sheath als two points, such poimts are an a distamce apart of ome half of the circmmference of the Lire; if attached at three poimts at a distance apart of ome third ofsuch circumferemce. The number of times each band is attached should be limited as the mumber of times the band when wound should cross the form or tire sheath is limited as above specified. The tensionof the band between each two of such comsecutive points should bear down upon the wheel rirn. These emdless bands should be cf a diameter just; so much greater tham the diameter of Lhe wheel rim that whem attac'hed to the outer circumference, such bands, except ab amd mear where so attached, rmay tighten firmly around the rim, on the emlargimg radially from the axis of the wheel of the outer circumferemce whem distemded by the inflatiom of the innercore E. Theendless bamds unay be attached L0 the tire sheatl1 A by stitching the Same to the immer limimg O at the desired poimts cf attachmemt. Of course a correspomdimg number of emdless bands n1usl: in the sarne manner be attached to the other side of the liming C.

lt is not absolutely. necessary that the bamds should be of exactly the Same size amd atta'ched to the tire sheath ab points equally distant frorn the axis of the wheel amd equally distaht im succession fron1 each other, but I prefer to make amd arramge them thus that the bands rnay tighten evenly. Evenness of tightenimg cam be most readily secured im this way.

The endless bands at e'ach edge of the liming C may be gathered amd inclosed by foldimg im Ehe edges c c of the lining C over the bamds amd the rubber cover D may be cement'ed or vulcanized t0 the immer lining O, or the edges c c of th'e lining may be extended toward the rniddle of the rim amd oVerlap ome amother as shown in Fig. 6. If the tirc sheath is shaped around the core E amd such overlappimg edges c c cernented or otherwise secured together before placing the tire sheath on the rim, the tire sheath will be a cornplete tube amd if made air-tight may be used without an immer imflatcd core E. I prefer, however, not to so attach or cement together the edges c c, but to place the core E on the wheel rim, shape the' tire sheath aroumd it amd tl1en inflate the core E. A suitable air pump amd valVe are of course used. The inflated tire is thus automatically secured to t.he wheel ri1m.

From the foregoing description it; Will be seen that the self-fixing action of my improved tir'e does not depemd 0m the particular Form of rim used. I prefer a rim1 with upturned edges (as in Fig. 2) which Will assist imkeeping the tire im place upom the rirm. If a circumferentially rifted tire is used the upturncd edges of the rim Will keep the collectioms of bamds B B frorn sp-read ing off ehe rim. Foxa tire such as is shown im Fig. 6 With a tire sheath, the overlappimg edges of which beimg secured together, are prevented from spreadimg off 'the rim, a rim such as is showm in Fig. 6 may be used although I prefer that showm in Fig. 2.

Havimg mow described amd ascertaimed the nature of my said inventiom amd im what manner the same is to be perforrned I declare that what I claim is l. The herein described vehicle tire embodying a flexible amd inflatable sheath amd threads extemding from poimts om the sheath rernote from the immer circurnference of the tire to amd along said immer circumference amd to another poiut rer-note from Lhe immer cireumference of tl1e tire, the said threads being deflected outward from astraight lime betweem IOC said rernote points, to comform to the immer tending between apices 011 the outer cireumfer6nce of the same, the portions of the threads between the apices being deflected outward from straight lines between seid apiees and passed along the inner circumferenee of the tire, substantially as deseribed.

4. In a vehicle tire,the combination With a flexible and inflatable sheath, of threads erossing the oute'r eircumferen ee of the san1e forming apices, the portions of the threads between the apices being deflec'ted outward fromm straight lines between seid apiees and passed along the inner circumference of the tire; substantially as described.

5. In a vehiele tire, the eoxnbination with a flexible and inflatable inner sheath and a flexible outer sheath, of threads between seid shea1 hs extending between apiees ab er near the outer eircumlerence of the tire, the intermediate portions, of the threads being deflected outward from straight lines between seid apices and passed along the inner cirsecured 1:0 the tire at points remote from seid edges; substantially as described.

8. In a vehiele tire, the combina.tion with the flexible sheath formed with edges a1; the inner circumference, 013 threads seeured along seid edges and crossed over said sheath from one edge to the other a1: intervals, seid erossing points being sufficiently rernoved from eacl1 other to allow the threads to extend around the eurve of the inner cireumferenee of the tire for a greater 01 less distance; substantially as described.

9. In a vehiele tire,the eombination with the flexible sheath formed with edges at che in ner circumferenee, of threads seeured along said edges and erossed diagonally frorn one edge to the other atintervals, the threads partaking of the curvature of the inner eircumferenee of the tire along seid edges, andl an unter sheath ineorporated with the thr6ads substantially as deseribed.

10. In a vehicle tire, the eombina/ion with the inner fabric sheath having ins edges turned oufof the threads passed along in the folds of seid edges and erossed from one edge to the other over the sheath als intervals, and the oufer sheath er tread inelosing the threads and inner sheath; substantially es described.

In testim0ny whereof I have hereunto set noy band, in the presence of two witnesses, ab Toronto, Canada, this 19th day of Deeember 1898.

H. J. LA FOR'CE.

WVitnesses:

SYDNEY WALTER WINDELER, WILLIAM MOFFAT'I. CRAM. 

